Bits making ponies mouth sore :-(

holt889

holt889

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Little project pony has a very sensitive mouth ( he is grey with pink muzzle that gets sunburnt) and seems to get sore in his mouth despite careful riding and correct sized bits. He is very forward going and quite strong even for my experienced teenage daughter who rides him.
He has a very small mouth but needs a 5" bit as its very wide ! He also has very fleshy lips and big tongue. He prefers a snaffle either loose ring or fixed. French links catch his cheeks inside and give him little blood blisters. He even got blood blisters when the vet did his teeth as the mouth vice thingy must have rubbed on him bless him !!
All his bits have been stainless steel but wondered about trying rubber ? Wondered if anyone had any experience of any of the specialised bit makes that may help his problem.
 
Hi, not sure about the tongue issue but have you tried vaseline or bit butter on the mouth?

My mare is ridden in a happy mouth and can get a sore mouth in the corners due to it rubbing. Now always use one of the above and bit rings on the loose ring one.
 
If he's strong, a stronger bit may be your answer. Less pulling from both rider and horse may well solve the problem perhaps.
 
I would avoid rubber if he has a fleshy tongue as the mouth pieces are usually quite thick.

Second Amymay re the waterford, they are pretty harsh.

Perhaps a hackamore may be the answer?
 
not trying to tell you how to suck eggs but dont forget a waterford needs to be 1/2" bigger than your normal sized bit because of the way they sit in the mouth. :D:D
 
If he has a thick tongue go for a thinner bit esp where the rings are, also make sure your daughter isnt sawing his mouth if he is a bit strong.
 
Sorry dont have any suggestions but this sounds quite a lot like my new horse - he is very sensitive in the mouth and he is a grey with a pink muzzle and mainly pink lips - easily rubbed and doesnt like too much contact at all. I have just decided to bin my happy mouth as this is getting rough and he has a rub at the corner of his mouth from the biscuits (I wanted a french link and they only do them loose ringed in happy mouth). I am trying him with an eggbut french link snaffle in metal - will let you know if that is any better!
 
I'd suggest a bit with cheeks or a hanging cheek - these help prevent rubs on the side of his mouth they also help with steering. Even consider a mullen mouth - no joint at all.

A friend has had great success with her daughters pony using a Miklam bridle with the bit links - the pressure is then spread over the nose as well and the pony's understanding of the aids improved

I would also suggest go back a few stages, being hard to stop is often lack of balance.

Re establish the action of the bit in walk and trot. Practice millions of halts until he responds promptly. Ensure rider is giving good downward transition aids, Sit tall, legs long, close leg then hand, in walk stop following with the hands.

If she does this every time - the minute she sits taller he will start to prepare himself for the downward transition.

Rubber bits and sensitive mouths are definitely not a good idea - rubber unless kept very wet drags at the skin and chafes.
 
Thanks for your thoughts and ideas.
Wondered if Waterford would be worth a try in case he's holding into the bit and its then pulling through his mouth to one side & have used one once before.
Tried a Mullen mouth and he
hated it!!
I had heard that rubber is worse for rubbing so defo not going there!!
A full cheek was ok but hanging cheek rubbed everywhere!
Daughter & he have lots of lessons and she is giving all correct aids etc but he
 
Oops... Didn't finish !! .... He is a pretty stressy character and isn't quick to settle so makes it all the more difficult if the bit isn't right.
I had wondered about a hackamore or Micklem ... Anyone used one on a12.3 pony ??
 
No more bit suggestions but those new avacello bit guards look like they might be useful until you find a better solution? :)
 
I had a horse with similar mouth conformation who was prone to rubbing and was very strong on hacks. I tried various bits and eventually settled on a ported kimblewick which worked very well.
 
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